- Velvet for Uniqlo
(wwd)Uniqlo in Tie-Up With Velvet Brand
"Set to hit Uniqlo’s 950 stores worldwide on June 17, the new venture, dubbed Uniqlo + Velvet, offers 14 jersey styles retailing from $15.90 to $19.90. Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer, the co-creative directors at Velvet, created four separate mini collections inspired by the Southern California lifestyle to appeal to Uniqlo’s diverse customer base. A group dubbed Hollywood Roosevelt features a black sleeveless top with a draped neckline and other slinky rayon pieces that can be worn on a night out, while a set called Venice Beach uses heather gray jersey in a racer-back tank dress accentuated with cotton voile. A cropped harem pant in gray cotton slub comes from a daytime-oriented batch called Point Dume, and lightweight Supima cotton is used for a cap-sleeve tunic in a set named Rodeo Drive." read more
(wwd)Halston's Night Owls: Brand Unveils Men's Lines
"The company unveiled looks from its two Halston men’s lines in an exclusive to WWD, and the iconic American designer’s own personal style (and love of nightlife) clearly made a deep impression." read more
(nyt)Rise and Shine | The Swarovski Award for Emerging Fashion Talent
"The CFDA awards are American fashion’s night to shine — this year, quite literally. Swarovski, the Austrian crystal juggernaut, has been a sponsor of the so-called fashion Oscars for almost a decade. But for the first time, the emerging talents nominated in the categories of menswear, womenswear and accessories have been asked to make a special piece for the evening incorporating Swarovski material. Most of the CFDA nominees — like the jewelry designer Dana Lorenz and the womenswear designers Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung and Alexander Wang (who bagged the women’s category last year and is currently up for accessories) are no strangers to the sparkly stuff, having worked with Swarovski in seasons past." read more
(wwd)Penney's Expects Claiborne Sales to Double
"J.C. Penney Co. Inc. thinks its designation as the exclusive retailer of Liz Claiborne merchandise could double its Claiborne business. Speaking after the annual meeting of shareholders at Penney’s headquarters here Friday, Myron E. “Mike” Ullman 3rd, chairman and chief executive officer, told WWD that within five years after its introduction at the firm’s stores this fall, Liz Claiborne could reap double the sales of Liz & Co., Penney’s top national brand. He declined to reveal Liz & Co.’s volume." read more
(wwd)Tahari Names Three Executives
"To better serve the U.S. and global expansion, the company tapped Patricia Williamson as president of international sales. In the new post, Williamson will spearhead Tahari’s international sales for women’s and men’s wear as well as accessories. Most recently, Williamson was senior vice president and managing director of international at Collective Brands Inc., and prior to that, president of international alliances at Liz Claiborne Inc.
Tahari also named Dennis Wootten vice president of footwear and handbags, succeeding Joseph Campbell, who left the company to pursue other interests. Wootten joined from Prada USA, where he spent the past nine years, most recently as vice president of footwear. At Tahari, he will manage the shoe and handbag sales accounts and report directly to Helaine Elias, president of wholesale and merchandising.
The company also hired Jonathan Bergman as sales manager for the men’s line. Before joining Tahari in this newly created role, Bergman was director of sales for K-Swiss USA’s apparel division, and before that, a senior account executive at Hugo Boss. He reports to Elias." read more
- Ann Taylor Loft
(wwd)Ann Taylor Returns to Black
"AnnTaylor Stores Corp., propelled by strong response to spring fashions selling at full price, swung into the black for the first quarter and said the momentum is continuing. On Friday, the company posted a $22.6 million net profit for the first quarter ended May 1 compared with a loss of $2.3 million in the year-ago period. The report followed the pattern seen in companies from Gap Inc. to Saks Inc., Macy’s Inc. to Target Corp. Many retailers have posted stellar first quarters, fueling perceptions of pent-up demand and better feelings among consumers about the economy, after last year’s debacle." read more